Athletic garments

ABSTRACT

Athletic garments comprising interchangeable top portions and bottom portions. The bottom portions may include an integrated or removable panty bottom portion to accommodate diapers, training pants, or other undergarments typically worn by young children. The athletic garments may be in a variety of style and colors and may be reversible for increased variety.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/484,438 filed on Apr. 12, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Children today, and more typically small children, are involved in a great many extra-curricular activities, some activities occurring on the same day even within a few minutes of each other. Many of these activities, specifically dance, gymnastics, themed birthday parties, and the like, require a leotard or like outfit. Traditional, single-piece, leotards can be very difficult for children, specifically young children, to maneuver in and out of. Specifically, when the need to use the restroom arises for children who are not yet potty-trained, these children may have trouble removing the leotard. Additionally, children may need different leotards for different dance classes which puts a burden on the time and finances of the children's parents.

Therefore, there is a need for an ergonomic leotard that can meet the needs of several activities, while being easy to take off and put back on. The present invention addresses this need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a top portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a bottom portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another bottom portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of another top portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of another bottom portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front view of another top portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another bottom portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a kit of athletic garments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a top portion and a bottom portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a top portion and a bottom portion of an athletic garment according to the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

The novel technology embodies a detachable, two-piece leotard having a top portion, a bottom portion, a pantybottom portion, and a plurality of buttons or fasteners connected to both the top portion, bottom portion, and pantybottom portion. The top portion may be a tank top, or like article of clothing at least a portion of which is designed to be worn over the upper torso, that accompanies most one-piece leotards. The neckline of top portion may be configured to ensure easy removal. The bottom portion can be a myriad of interchangeable leotard bottoms at least a portion of which is designed to be worn over the lower torso, hips, and/or legs, tailored to fit a variety of dance, gymnastics, and like activities. The pantybottom portion may be an undergarment designed to, more typically with regard to small children, cover and hide any diapers or potty-training pants. The pantybottoms may have an elastic waist band and/or the waistband may be adjustable. In further embodiments, the pantybottoms may be waterproof or water-resistant materials such as rubber, nylon, polyesters, PVC, polyurethane, fluropolymers, silicone elastomers, and the like. The pantybottoms may also be configured to prevent leakage should any unexpected soiling occur. The fasteners may be typically located near the user's belly-button and just below the small of the user's back. The fasteners may also more typically configured to accommodate the little fingers.

In one example, the child puts on the pantybottoms, much like an underwear, panties, or like undergarment. Then the child puts on the top portion, much like any t-shirt or like stop, and connects the top portion to the pantybottom using the buttons or fasteners. The child then connects the bottom portion to the pantybottoms using the buttons. To remove either the top portion or the bottom portion, the child unbuttons either respective portion from the pantybottoms.

One example of an athletic garment 10 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. In this example, the garment 10 includes a top portion 12 and a separable bottom portion 14. The top portion includes a neck opening 13 which is shown in this example as a scooped-style neck opening although in other examples it may be other styles of opening such as v-neck and the like. The arms terminate in openings 16 which may be sized so as to expose the wearer's hands and/or wrists as desired. When worn in combination with a bottom 14, the top overlaps the bottom so as to form a seamless interface 20 between the two garment portions.

The bottom portion 14 of the garment 10 may include a panty bottom 26 having a top edge 22 and a bottom (leg) edges 24. The panty bottom portion 26 may be integrated into the bottom portion 14 of the garment 10 or it may be a separable component so as to allow for ease of cleaning and/or replacement. The leg portions of the bottom 14 may include a closed foot 18 or it may be open. As seen in FIGS. 2-3, the top portion 12 further includes a plurality of fasteners 28. Bottom portion 14 also includes a plurality of corresponding fasteners 30. Any suitable fastener style/type may be used such as snaps, buttons, loop-and-hook fabric, zippers, and the like.

The garment 10 may be made from a variety of suitable materials according to the intended use of the garment such as ballet, dance, gymnastics, track, swimming, yoga, and the like. The garment may also include a variety of colors, styles, patterns, and the like. Top portion 12 and bottom portion 14 may be of the same or different colors/styles as desired. In some examples, the tops and bottoms are interchangeable/fastenable with other tops and bottoms constructed using the same technology so as to allow tops and bottoms to be worn interchangeably. In one example, one top portion may be changed for another top portion when the wearer transitions from one activity to another where a single bottom may be suitable for both activities but a single top is not. In other examples, a wearer may outgrow one portion (e.g, the bottom) faster than the other (e.g., the top). In still other examples, a top portion and/or a bottom portion may be made such that they are reversible, that is, having one pattern/color on one side and a different pattern/color on the other so as to increase the versatility of the garment 10.

As seen in FIG. 4, a bottom portion 34 may include an open leg 36 so as to allow the user to wear shoes, slippers, or other appropriate foot wear. The bottom 24 also includes a panty bottom portion 40 having a top edge 42 and bottom edges 44. This panty bottom may be removable or integrated into the bottom portion as desired. The bottom 34 also includes a plurality of fasteners 38 suitable for use with top portions made according to the same technology. Optionally, open and closed footed bottom portions may be interchangeable with the same top portion.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of another example of an athletic garment 50 according to the present disclosure. This example is a top 52 in the style of a tank top/sleeveless top which includes two straps 54 rather than sleeves. The top 52 further includes a reinforced band 56 having a plurality of fasteners 56 for attaching the top 52 to any bottom garment of the present disclosure, as desired.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of an athletic garment 60 according to another example of the present disclosure. This example is a bottom portion 62 having open legs 64 rather than the closed legs as shown in FIG. 3. The bottom portion 62 further includes a panty bottom portion 66 which may be removable or integrated into the bottom portion 62. The bottom 62 further includes a reinforced band 68 having a plurality of fasteners 70 for attaching the bottom 62 to any top garment of the present disclosure, as desired.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of another example of an athletic garment 72 according to the present disclosure. This example is a top 72 in the style of a partial sleeve/tee-shirt style top which includes two partial sleeves 74. The top 72 further includes a reinforced band 78 having a plurality of fasteners 76 for attaching the top 72 to any bottom garment of the present disclosure, as desired.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of an athletic garment 80 according to another example of the present disclosure. This example is a bottom portion 80 in the style of shorts having open legs 82. The bottom portion 80 further includes a panty bottom portion 88 which may be removable or integrated into the bottom portion 80. The bottom 80 further includes a reinforced band 84 having a plurality of fasteners 86 for attaching the bottom 80 to any top garment of the present disclosure, as desired.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a kit 90 which includes a variety of top portions 92, 94 and bottom portions 96, 98 according to the present disclosure. Such kits may include pre-packaged selections of tops and/or bottoms based on such factors as the child's age, size, the activity for which the garments will be worn, garment color/style, and the like. In one example, a kit may include top portions and/or bottom portions of different sizes designed to fit together so as to accommodate different growth patterns in children. For example, where a child outgrows a particular bottom portion but can still fit into a particular top portion. In other examples, a kit may include one or more garments individually selected by a purchaser.

FIG. 10 shows a top portion 100 and a bottom portion 110 of an athletic garment. The top portion 100 has an inner surface 108 and an outer surface 106. The top portion 100 further includes a reinforced strip 102 of material on which a plurality of fasteners 104 are disposed. In this example, the reinforced strip 102 and fasteners 104 are disposed on the outer surface 106 of the top portion 100. The bottom portion 110 has an outer surface 120, an inner surface 122, and a panty bottom insert 112 disposed on the inner surface 122. The bottom portion 110 further includes a reinforced strip 116 of material on which a plurality of fasteners 114 are disposed. In this example, the reinforced strip 116 and fasteners 114 are disposed on the inner surface 122 of the bottom portion 110. The fasteners 114 are spaced at a distance from the upper waist edge 118 of the bottom portion 110 such that when the top and bottom are worn and the top fasteners 104 are engaged with the bottom fasteners 114 material of the bottom portion 110 along the upper waist edge 118 covers the reinforced strip 102 of the top portion 100 giving the outfit a seamless look. Optionally one or both of the reinforcing strips include elastic or other stretchable material to help secure the garment to the wearer.

FIG. 11 shows a top portion 130 and a bottom portion 140 of an athletic garment. The top portion 130 has an inner surface 136 and an outer surface 138. The top portion 130 further includes a reinforced strip 132 of material on which a plurality of fasteners 134 are disposed. In this example, the reinforced strip 132 and fasteners 134 are disposed on the inner surface 136 of the top portion 130. The bottom portion 140 has an outer surface 150, an inner surface 148, and a panty bottom insert 142 disposed on the inner surface 148. The bottom portion 140 further includes a reinforced strip 144 of material on which a plurality of fasteners 146 are disposed. In this example, the reinforced strip 144 and fasteners 146 are disposed on the outer surface 150 of the bottom portion 140. In this example, the fasteners 134 are spaced at a distance from the lower waist edge 128 of the top portion 110 such that when the top and bottom are worn and the top fasteners 134 are engaged with the bottom fasteners 146 material of the top portion 130 along the lower waist edge 128 covers the reinforced strip 144 of the bottom portion 140 giving the outfit a seamless look. Optionally one or both of the reinforcing strips include elastic or other stretchable material to help secure the garment to the wearer.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An athletic garment, comprising: a top portion, at least a portion of which is designed to be worn over the upper torso, having a bottom edge, a reinforcing strip disposed along the bottom edge, and at least one fastener disposed on the reinforcing strip; and a bottom portion, at least a portion of which is designed to be worn over the waist, having an upper edge, a reinforcing strip disposed along the upper edge, and at least one fastener disposed on the reinforcing strip; wherein the top portion is secured to the bottom portion when the top portion at least one fastener is engaged with the bottom portion at least one fastener.
 2. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein one or both of the top portion and bottom portion are reversible.
 3. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein a portion of the top portion covers the reinforcing strip of the bottom portion when the top portion fasteners are engaged with the bottom portion fasteners.
 4. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein a portion of the bottom portion covers the reinforcing strip of the top portion when the top portion fasteners are engaged with the bottom portion fasteners.
 5. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing strips of the top portion and the bottom portion comprise an elastic material.
 6. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the fasteners of the top portion are selected from the group comprising: snaps, buttons, loop and hook fabric, and zippers.
 7. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the fasteners of the bottom portion are selected from the group comprising: snaps, buttons, loop and hook fabric, and zippers.
 8. The athletic garment of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion further includes a pantybottom portion.
 9. The athletic garment of claim 8, wherein the pantybottom portion is integrated into the bottom portion of the athletic garment.
 10. The athletic garment of claim 8, wherein the pantybottom portion is removable from the bottom portion of the athletic garment.
 11. The athletic garment of claim 8, wherein the pantybottom portion is made from a water-resistant material.
 12. A kit, comprising: a first top portion of an athletic garment, at least a portion of which is designed to be worn over the upper torso, having a bottom edge, a reinforcing strip disposed along the bottom edge, and at least one fastener disposed on the reinforcing strip; and a first bottom portion of an athletic garment, at least a portion of which is designed to be worn over the waist, having an upper edge, a reinforcing strip disposed along the upper edge, and at least one fastener disposed on the reinforcing strip; wherein the at least one top portion is secured to the at least one bottom portion when the top portion at least one fastener is engaged with the bottom portion at least one fastener.
 13. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a second top portion of an athletic garment.
 14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the second top portion is a different style than the first top portion.
 15. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a second bottom portion of an athletic garment.
 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the second bottom portion is a different style than the first bottom portion.
 17. The athletic garment of claim 12, wherein the first bottom portion further includes a pantybottom portion.
 18. The athletic garment of claim 17, wherein the pantybottom portion is integrated into the first bottom portion of the athletic garment.
 19. The athletic garment of claim 17, wherein the pantybottom portion is removable from the first bottom portion of the athletic garment.
 20. The athletic garment of claim 17, wherein the pantybottom portion is made from a water-resistant material. 